Meat Market - The U.S. Runs the Show in the Global Meat Market

The U.S. dominates in the global meat trade. In 2014, the U.S. exported 7 million tonnes of meat totaling 17 billion USD, 8% over the previous year. Its primary trading partner on the global meat market was Mexico, where it supplied 21% of its total meat exports in value terms, accounting for 82% of Mexico's total imports.

Overall, the global meat trade reached 122 billion USD, with a CAGR of 8% from 2007 to 2014. In physical terms, it increased from 29 million tonnes in 2007 to 40 million tonnes in 2014.

In 2014, Japan (9%), the U.S. (8%), Germany (7%), Italy (6%) and China (6%) were the leading destinations of meat imports, together making up 35% of global imports. The share of China increased (+3 percentage points), while the share of Italy illustrated negative dynamics (-2 percentage points).

Brazil and Australia were among the other main global suppliers of meat in 2014 with a combined share of 21% of global exports. However, the fastest growing exporters from 2007 to 2014 were India (+29% per year) and Poland (+12% per year). The U.S. strengthened its position in the global export structure, from 11% in 2007 to 14% in 2014.

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